One of the funniest aspects of Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me was undeniably those lovable yellow creatures that served Gru in his evil machinations. Who did not finish that movie not wanting their own army of minions?

Well in the summer of 2014 you will be able to see them in all their glory as the minions get their own movie, and, one has to assume, their own language. Exactly one year after the 2013 release of Despicable Me 2, Universal plans to release the spin off movie and Brian Lynch (Hop) will pen the screenplay. Universal Studios Florida has also received a touch of Minion Madness, as the 3D simulator Despicable Me: Minion Mayhemopened this year.

Universal Studio Orlando’s newest parade is the hit of the park. Focusing on some of the most popular animated characters today, Universal’s Superstar Parade was a welcome break from all the walking around we did that day. The downside to watching most parades is getting a good seat takes holding down a piece of pavement for an hour or more. The popularity of this parade makes this no exception to the rule.

We were fortunate enough to secure a spot at the first show stop of the parade. This gave us a perfect seat to watch Hop, the Minions and SpongeBob boogie down to the beat.

SpongeBob SquarePants / Image: Dakster Sullivan

After we had a chance to take it all in, I was given the chance to ask Lora Wallace, the show director for Universal Orlando Resort Entertainment, some questions about the parade and what it takes to put it all together. Lora has worked at Universal Orlando for sixteen years.

With various roles under her belt (talent manager, choreographer and assisting in theme concepting), she first started her work at the resort with a parade associated with Halloween Horror Nights, followed by a decade of involvement with Universal Orlando’s annual Mardi Gras parade and Macy’s Holiday Parade events. A few of her roles allowed her the opportunity to work on The Beetlejuice Graveyard Review, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

GeekMom: Why were the characters in the parade chosen to have a float or a part in the parade? Lora Wallace: All the characters in the Universal Superstar Parade are loved by so many people and are all fun for the entire family, so we felt they were the best fit for our new parade.

GM: How many people did it take from idea to first show to make this happen? LW: It took a small group of people to start then as the concepts and production grew we grew into hundreds of talented people.

GM: What float was the most fun to work on? LW: All of the floats have something different and special – The Dora and Diego float features swinging, tumbling monkeys on vines; the SpongeBob SquarePants float features colorful fish on roller skates; The HOP float comes equipped with a slide and marching band style drummers; and the Despicable Me float incorporates the best elements from the film, as well as our favorite characters, Gru, Edith, Agnes, Margo and the minions. They really are all special in their own way and I’ve enjoyed working on bringing all of them to life.

E.B Bunny / Image: Dakster Sullivan

GM: What kinds of things do you take into consideration when planning out the show stops and parade path? LW: We looked at the best part of the park with the most viewing area for parade and show stops. We wanted to ensure that all our guests got a great view and were able to see all their favorite characters.

GM: The costumes were amazing! My favorite outfit was the one worn by the minion dancers. When planning out the attire for the performers, did you get input from any of the cast or crew that would be wearing them? LW: As I was a dancer, I was able to get into the costumes and make sure that the choreographed movement was able to be performed while also ensuring the costumes stayed true to the fun-loving nature of these characters.

GM: What is the typical timeline for a project like this to go from idea to first show? LW: The timeline for each of our productions varies on the show. This particular parade was a few years in the works from the first concept to the final product.

GM: Tell me a little bit about the technology that is incorporated into the floats that is special or different from other parade floats. LW: The Universal Superstar Parade floats have hundreds of speakers on them, lots of animatronics and moving parts and tons of LED lights. The Despicable Me float also features two huge hi-definition LED video screens featuring a Minion music video for all to enjoy. Each of these floats is also equipped with GPS so that each movement of the floats is choreographed and the floats end up in exactly the right place during the show stops for every parade.

I was given park tickets to check out Universal Orlando’s Superstar Parade. Though I received this benefit, I have given a review that is completely my own.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to check out Universal Orlando’s latest nighttime show. I’ve never seen an evening show at the park before, so I was looking forward to the experience. My past experience with nighttime shows at Disney, however, had me anticipating a crowd and long wait for a good seat. To my surprise, that wasn’t the case at all. Unlike the shows at other Orlando theme parks, there are multiple locations along the water front that you can view the show and still have a front row experience.

As Mother Nature’s lights started to dim, the water screen started to come alive. Lights… Camera… Action! The show began.

The first thing I couldn’t help but notice was the narration given by Academy Award winning actor, Morgan Freeman. I don’t think they could have made a better choice. As soon as it started, my son couldn’t take his eyes off the water screen. We were all taken back by the pyrotechnics that shot off not only from the lagoon, but also all around us from various locations in the park.

In addition to viewing the show, I was given the opportunity to interview one of the individuals behind the show’s creation, Micheal Aiello. Since 2003, Mr. Aiello has had a major role in the Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Night event. He’s been responsible for writing and directing the extremely popular “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” as well as working with New Line Cinema to co-create content based on A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well as Universal Pictures’ The Thing. He is also responsible for overseeing the concept and development for the entertainment elements within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

My husband and I are avid movie goers. When we were first dating, we would go see two, sometimes three movies in one day. We still love the movies, and still go all the time, though often not together if we can’t find a sitter.

Our local theater has a program where you can see $1 kid’s movies on Tuesday or Wednesday. This was the last week of it, and they were showing on of my daughter’s favorite movies, Despicable Me. This was going to be the first time that she had ever seen a movie on the big screen.

Since my husband works 2nd shift, we were able to make this a family affair. This made me happy because I think my husband would have been sad if he hadn’t been there for the first time.

As for my daughter, she was very excited. She was a little awed at the size of the screen when we got into the theater. She giggled at the previews, and watched the movie without talking too loudly through it.

It was a really good experience. I think it helped that we saw a movie that she’s seen about 50 times already. She sat in our laps because the chair was a little big and tried to fold up on her. And she fell asleep in the car on the ride home because it was such an exciting morning.

Universal just announced plans to upgrade The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man to 4K digital high definition, with Infitec 3-D projection systems that park officials say will make the experience “sharper, clearer and more ‘real’ than ever before.”

It will open in 2012, along with a new attraction based on the film “Despicable Me,” which will replace the park’s imaginative but barf-inducing Jimmy Neutron ride.

Will you miss Jimmy Neutron? What are the chances that beefed-up HD 3-D can propel Spidey back into contention for Universal’s coolest ride?